EUIPO discusses international cooperation with Latin-American IP offices in Geneva
During the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) 65th Series of Meetings of the Assemblies that took place in Geneva, Switzerland, that started on 9 July 2024, a European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) delegation met with Latin American intellectual property (IP) offices to discuss recent developments and bilateral cooperation activities, as well as international cooperation activities funded by the European Union (EU).
The EUIPO is the implementing agency of several EU-funded IP cooperation projects. At the meetings, its delegation was led by João Negrão, Executive Director of the EUIPO, and consisted of the Director of the Cooperation and Partnerships Department, the Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Area, the acting Head of the International Partnerships Service, and a Team Leader from the Cooperation and Partnerships Department.
On 9 July, the EUIPO delegation met with Alberto Villanueva Eslava, the recently appointed President of the Board of Directors of the National Institute for the Defense of Free Competition and the Protection of Intellectual Property of Peru (INDECOPI). Notable collaboration between the EUIPO and INDECOPI includes a seminar on geographical indications (GIs) and another on valuation of intangible assets, organised in the framework of the IP Key Latin America cooperation project. Possible collaboration with INDECOPI is also foreseen under the AL-INVEST Verde IPR cooperation project to establish a mentorship programme on GIs in the Andean community.
A meeting was also held with Loreto Bresky, National Director of the National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI) of Chile. This is a strategic partner of both IP cooperation projects implemented by the EUIPO in Latin America, particularly in the area of GIs. Subsequently, a meeting took place with Julio César Reis Moreira, President of the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) of Brazil. The EUIPO and INPI Brazil have a long-standing partnership through IP cooperation projects, such as the ongoing economic impact study for Brazil. This will include ‘green patents’, jointly elaborated by IP Key LA and AL-INVEST Verde IPR.
On 10 July, the meetings continued with an encounter with Santiago Martínez, Director of the National Directorate of Industrial Property (DNPI) of Uruguay. As the seat of AL-INVEST Verde IPR is in Montevideo, Uruguay, the DNPI is a key partner of the project. Finally, a meeting took place with Carlos Gallo, the recently nominated President of the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) of Argentina. INPI Argentina is an important ally of both of the EUIPO’s IP cooperation projects in Latin America.
WIPO’s yearly General Assemblies offer an important opportunity to strengthen ties with national and regional IP offices in international cooperation on IP matters, as well as to explore future areas of collaboration.